AIR ATTACK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22540, 3 October 1936, Page 14

AIR ATTACK

GERMAN MENACE RUTHLESS MIGHT BOMBING OF CITIES SIR K. MURDOCH'S VIEW Startling reports of the strength of rearmed Germany and decided views on the course open to Britian as a result ■were given by Sir Keith Murdoch, Australian newspaper proprietor, who arrived from Los Angeles by the Mariposa yesterday. Sir Keith, accompanied by his wife and three children, is returning to Australia after representing that, country at the Empire Press Conference, and visiting Spain, Franco. J Germany and England. Not since Ihe war had the world been in such u turmoil, Sir Keith said, and it was very important that Australia and New Zealand should have a wide understanding of the position. Already their situation had been profoundly affected by changes that had occurred. They must be regarded as irrevocably found together, and they might be called on sooner than was expected to make more thorough contributions to their own defence. From what he had seen, it appeared than man was unable to make tho changes through which the world was passing without war, civil or otherwise. The division of classes had become wider in mos-i countries. A swing to one ■extreme inevitably caused a swing to the other, and once the middle course was abandoned in the internal programme of a nation there must be civil war..- This had been shown in Italy, Germany and Spain, and, if the temperate section could not succeed in France, thc-n> would be a similar clash there.' Ruthless Intentions "The other extremism in Europe is that of the cietators," he said. "Until I went, to Germany I refused to believe what I had heard about their new power and their ruthless intentions. But/ anyone who inquires in Germany fleepcr than tho splendidly organised front to the foreigner must realise that the country has a capacity to do an infinite anount of harm. Her rearmament is a tremendous feat, and will proceed at an unabated pace for two or three years more. Her expenditure is colossal, totalling billions of pounds. Her aerodromes are of prodigious size, and are placed according to warlike strategy. "In Dresden, facing Czechoslovakia, I saw literally miles of new barracks close to the huge aerodromes, and there, as elsewhere in Germany, most of the splendid-looking new conscripts one saw in the streets wore the wings of the air foice. This concentration on aggressive ail weapons is of singular significance, <nd all it implies must be carefully studied by New Zealand and Australia. ' Bomos of Liquid Fire "The exact place of the aeroplane in warfare is not yet understood. But there is one thing certain —the German dogma of ruthless might entails bombing of cities without warning and without mercy. The bombing aeroplane, of which Germany is building thousands, moves it 250 miles ail hour, ,ist a fortress in itself, and can carry 1000 bombs, each capable of spreading liquid fire which water only spreads further. Yt l saw irrmense demonstrations of Hitlerism in Germany, and I am quite convinced th.it the great majority of the people will follow him blindly," Sir ,Keith said. "Britain is profoundly pnzzlfld by the phenomenon of the uprising of Germany. A number of pooplo a<rre6 with tie French view that there is no solution other than tho maintenance of a very preponderant military force against Germany. I think this course would be disastrous. Its effect would be brief and, as the force inevitably wenkened and divided, worse trouble would come. Offer of Concessions "The British people should at least make an offer of whatever sacrifices wculd he genarous to meet tho German case. I found a very general belief in this course. The objection appears to be that the Germans may regard such a course as weakness and press for greater demands. Wo must certainly be strong ourselves. It will take us two years to bo really strong again, but with such strength coming to us, any offer of economic assistance or diplomatic help could surely not be regarded as flowing from weakness." Speaking of the Spanish situation, Sir Keith said the victory of the Army, which appeared certain, would be a victory of an efficient minority over a vast majority. Tho outcome would bo military dictatorship. If it sought to t crush the progressive movement, it could bring disaster to Spain. There had undoubtedly been a strong backing frortl outside the country.